Electromagnetic Tool Dislodgement Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures face challenges in detecting medical tool/device dislodgement and guidewire prolapse without exposing patients to excessive X-rays, as traditional methods rely on live fluoroscopy, which is undesirable due to radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a localization system and control unit to detect tool dislodgement and guidewire prolapse by outputting position and orientation readings, correlating tool motion with patient and reference location movements, and generating alarm signals based on predetermined criteria, thereby reducing the need for live fluoroscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If live fluoroscopy is used to detect guidewire prolapse and tool dislodgement, then detection accuracy is improved, but patient exposure to X-rays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical fluoroscopy imaging system with an electromagnetic-based detection system. The system uses electromagnetic fields to track the position of medical tools and guidewires, substituting the X-ray based mechanical imaging approach with a non-ionizing electromagnetic field-based tracking method that eliminates patient radiation exposure while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic field sensors and tracking technology as an intermediary between the medical tools and the detection system. This intermediary enables indirect detection of tool position and guidewire integrity through electromagnetic field interactions, eliminating the need for direct X-ray imaging while preserving the ability to detect prolapse and dislodgement conditions
2Reliability
If physicians manually monitor for dislodgement using fluoroscopy, then detection capability is maintained, but physician workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service detection by automatically monitoring tool position and guidewire status without requiring continuous physician attention. The electromagnetic tracking system continuously tracks tool coordinates and detects dislodgement or prolapse conditions autonomously, freeing physicians from the burden of constant manual monitoring while maintaining reliable detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback through automated alarm signals that notify physicians only when abnormal conditions are detected. The system provides real-time feedback on tool position and guidewire integrity, alerting physicians to prolapse or dislodgement events without requiring constant manual observation, thus reducing workload while maintaining detection reliability
3Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used to identify dislodgement, then detection accuracy is improved, but response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic tracking system operates continuously without interruption, providing uninterrupted monitoring of tool position and guidewire status. Unlike fluoroscopy which requires periodic activation and image processing, the electromagnetic system maintains continuous tracking of tool coordinates, enabling immediate detection of dislodgement or prolapse events without delay for image acquisition or processing
Data Source
AI summary
A tool dislodgement detection apparatus includes an MPS outputting position and orientation (P&O) readings for determining tool motion. A control generates an alarm based on the tool motion and dislodgement criteria. The criteria includes whether the tool motion meets a condition based on the type of medical procedure or tool, the tool parking position, a patient characteristic (e.g., age, weight, gender) or a physician preference. The criteria includes when the correlation between the tool motion and the cardiac, respiration and patient motion changes abruptly. In a prolapse detection apparatus, guidewire tip P&O readings determine a tip motion vector. The control generates an alarm using the motion vector and predetermined criteria. The criteria include a substantial change in the tip orientation not accompanied by a corresponding position change and a change in the motion vector by about 180° accompanied by a corresponding position change no greater than a threshold.